Thanksgiving special celebrates 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's landmark 'BAD' album and tour

by jmaloni

Wed, Aug 29th 2012 12:55 pm

"BAD25"
documentary from acclaimed director Spike Lee to air on ABC

Press
release

ABC
has acquired the television rights to "BAD25," a documentary film
by the award-winning director Spike Lee. Airing at Thanksgiving
(details to be announced at a later date), "BAD25"
shares fresh insights into the "King of Pop's" creative vision
that resulted in his landmark "BAD"
album, this year marking its 25th
anniversary.

"This
will be a very special Thanksgiving for all families to enjoy the
genius of Michael Jackson," Lee said. "Big thanks to ABC for
allowing people to witness the making of Michael Jackson's 'BAD'
album. Shamon."

Academy
Award-nominated filmmaker Lee teamed with The Estate of Michael
Jackson and Legacy/Epic Records, carefully culling archives for rare
and never-before-seen footage for the film, which focuses on the
creative forces that pushed Jackson to make the "BAD"
album
and launch the "BAD" worldwide tour. "BAD25" marks the first
ever in-depth, behind-the-scenes film project to chronicle a Michael
Jackson album and tour, and was filmed in advance of the 25th
anniversary celebration of the iconic album, the record-breaking
world tour and the groundbreaking short films that changed music
history. The
album's 25thanniversary
will be celebrated on Sept. 18, with the Legacy/Epic Records release
of deluxe 25thAnniversary
editions of the album.

The
documentary features numerous interviews conducted personally by
Spike Lee, including Jackson's confidants, choreographers,
musicians and collaborators, such as Oscar-winning film director
Martin Scorsese, Joe Pytka and others who worked on many of the
iconic "BAD"
videos, bringing Jackson's songs to life on the screen through
short films that remain some of the most vivid and creative
storytelling by a musical artist.

ABC
will air a version of "BAD25,"
offering
Michel Jackson fans across the country a rare look at the man who
changed the music world forever (time to be announced at a later
date.).

Lee
documentaries include the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning "When the
Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" and its follow up, "If God
Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise," "Kobe Doin' Work" and
the Oscar-nominated "4 Little Girls." Lee directed both short
films for Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us" in 1996.

The
third and final album collaboration for Jackson and Quincy Jones,
"BAD"marked
a pivotal coming of age for the "King of Pop" as a performer,
composer and producer. The
album was No. 1 around the world, made history with five consecutive
No. 1 singles on the Billboard chart, produced nine chart-topping
singles, nine groundbreaking short films, and to
date has generated more than 45 million units in sales.
"BAD"
was nominated for six Grammys and won two; the album also earned
Jackson the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMA Awards. Songs on the
original album are "Bad," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Speed
Demon," "Liberian Girl," "Just Good Friends" featuring
Stevie Wonder, "Another Part of Me," "Man in the Mirror," "I
Just Can't Stop Loving You," "Dirty Diana," "Smooth
Criminal," with "Leave Me Alone" added to the CD version of the
album once released.